John Hiatt and the Goners (featuring Sonny Landreth) at Under the Bridge - which is literally underneath one of Chelsea's stands. Nice small venue with good sight lines.

Then it was Martha Reeves and the Vandellas in Brixton's Blues Kitchen - a chain of southern inspired diners. This one has a long, narrow venue with crap lighting upstairs and that's where the 77 year old Martha Reeves and her sisters Lois and Delphine absolutely took the roof off. I've still got "Jimmy Mack" in my head now...And finally it was the Reverend Horton Heat at the O2 Academy Islington, a purpose built venue (black and lots of concrete and soulless). Seen him three times and this was the best, with the addition of a keyboard player and a fantastic drummer that gave the songs a whole new impetus.

..and then I went to Paris to see Eels at the Olympia Theatre. Security told me to hand my camera in, so I played the stupid Englishman and said I'd take it back to the hotel. Went round the corner, stuck it down my pants, waited ten minutes and went back in again. (I wasn't the only person in there with a camera - there were several. A guy next to me had a bridge camera with a long zoom on it. I guess I was just unlucky)Anyway - excellent gig. The thing that I like about Eels is that Mark Oliver Everett always reinvents the band musically. This was a rockier Eels than the last couple of times out and the set list reflected this. Two Prince covers (He's always been an influence on Mr Everett, right back to his first privately released album) and an encore medley which included Brian Wilson's "Love and Mercy", mixed with highlights from the new album and the old favourites re-arranged made up the set. Loved the Olympia as a venue - very similar in many ways to the Brixton Academy with its sloping floor, although the Olympia's floor was sprung, which was a very strange feeling when the audience started getting excited.

Kelly Willis at the Maze in Nottingham: I've been waiting ages for her to come over from Austin with her band, since the days of CMT on Sky. She didn't disappoint. Greater singer/writer and interpreter of the songs of others with a fantastic band - special mention to Geoff Queen on guitar and pedal steel.

Go see them if you get the chance - Zal Cleminson goes his own way and it's wonderful - one SAHB track thrown in the mix itself a reinterpretation rather than a 'cover' - a 90 minute set passed in the blink of an eye - next time he plays Glasgow I'm on the train.

Cambridge Folk Festival - where do I start? Probably the best festival I've attended in terms of consistency of line-up and weather. Somewhat over-crowded, but you can't have everything.Surprise of the festival - Marlon Williams - Antipodean crooner with shades of RH and the Triffids. Bonus points for duetting with Klara Soderberg of First Aid Kit.Best living legend? There were several -Peggy Seeger, John Prine, Janis Ian (what a woman!) and the goddess that is Patti Smith.

Gilbert O'Sullivan at Buxton Opera House - in his 70s, but sprightly of mind and he still has the same head of hair! A fun show and his newer songs sound decent too. I'd forgotten how many hits he had.